Rick Wright appreciation thread.

[voggmo]

Dave: "Echoes" marked a real moment of clarity, the moment where we realized we were getting somewhere, finding a direction. And Rick, who in many ways is the soul of Pink Floyd, was as much a part of that as anybody. If you are looking at who wrote what, I'd say that 80 percent of the music on Echoes is either mine or Rick's.


Roger: Rick had a hugely significant musical impact on the later works, such as Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. His chord structures became big, important bits on the big, big pieces of work.

 

[Roshi]

I'm with you there regarding Rick's contribution to the Floyd. My favorite bits of his are Summer '68 (which has a very nice 60-ish feel) on Atom Heart Mother and Stay on Obscured by Clouds.
I was very surprised to see he was the higher tone voice in Echoes.


And Us and Them!!! Mmmh!




Nice thread voggmo!

 

[voggmo]

He wrote Great gig in the Sky as well from Dark side. His part in creating the Floyd sound & style is huge.

 

[Harena]

I, too, have to throw in my love for Rick Wright! My favorite-est era of Pink Floyd is the Obscured by Clouds through Wish You Were Here one, where his contributions seem the most prevelant. At one time, I even had compiled a tape (yeah, I'm Old ;D) of His Works Alone, including bits from his first solo album, Wet Dream.

When he left the group, I was heartbroken... I heard the Final Cut and it seemed empty & flat. Not the same. I am still quite fond of the group on the whole, but the rest of their stuff just doesn't Shine On Me quite as much.

 

[voggmo]

Mojo: In 1967, Rick Wright was Pink Floyd's second singer, second most prolific songwriter, and virtually neck to neck with Barrett in the ace face department. His wheezing, Hammer-Horror-style Farfisa Duo organ sound, combined with some bewitching Eastern scales, did much to define the early Pink Floyd sound.


Hmm, what is an ace face?

 

[voggmo]

Well at least Rick got paid after being treated so bad during The Wall.

Roger Waters, who threatened to pull the plug on the album's tapes if Wright did not leave the band. However, he was retained as a salaried session musician during the subsequent live concerts to promote that album in 1980 and 1981. Ironically, Wright became the only member of Pink Floyd to profit from those hugely spectacular shows, since the net financial loss had to be borne by the three remaining "full-time" members."

 

[CorporalClegg]

Actually, of all the solo albums, I think "Dream" is the best.

I also think his performance is the highlight of Dave's Meltdown concert DVD.

He really was the "heart" of the band. And I don't mean because of his boards, to mean it was his harmonies with Dave that really made the band what it was.

I'd even rank it up there with McGuinn, Crosby, and Hillman.

 

[gh4chiefs]

I don't know, I've always kind of preferred TC over Rick. But Higgins over both of them.

 

[Harena]

Actually, of all the solo albums, I think "Dream" is the best.

I also think his performance is the highlight of Dave's Meltdown concert DVD.

Oooh, I hadn't seen that'un! Is it readily available?

He really was the "heart" of the band. And I don't mean because of his boards, to mean it was his harmonies with Dave that really made the band what it was.

Ohman, I quite agree! I really miss the days of those two singing together like they did on Crying Song & such... *sighs reminiscently*

 

[voggmo]

Here's a 1971 interview where Rick speaks. Interesting as the interviewer asks if they have a tremendous musical rapport. I won't spoil what they say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL1B7gMMzl8&feature=related